Rebel killed, firearms seized in Eastern Samar clash

TACLOBAN CITY, March 28  -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash between government troops and rebels in Maslog, Eastern Samar on Tuesday -- two days before the 49th anniversary of the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a press statement sent Tuesday night, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division confirmed the death of the rebel fighter in the remote village of San Roque in Maslog town, 194 kilometers northeast of Tacloban.

The 30-minute firefight also led to the recovery of one M-16A1 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, one hand grenade, two landmines, 11 jungle hammock backpacks, 12 poncho tents, one cellular phone, and documents with high intelligence value.

The encounter started when 12 NPA fighters fired upon patrolling soldiers of the 14th Infantry Battalion, who acted on the report of sightings of armed rebels in an upland portion of the village.

“(There was) no reported casualty on the government side while one dead body of the enemy was recovered at the encounter site,” said Capt. Francis Agno, spokesperson of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City in Samar.

The clash happened two days before the NPA anniversary on Thursday, during which, rebels are expected to launch attacks against government troops. Bernabe Buscayno and Lucio Manlapaz founded the NPA on March 29, 1969.

“These CPP-NPA terrorists are taking advantage of the shadow of fear and weakness of the community from their threat, we will not put our (guards) down in securing the safety and protection of community,” said Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division.

Farnacio said the unrelenting campaign of the army in the region is aimed at deterring the criminal activities of insurgents in far-flung communities during the observance of the Lenten Season.

In Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Army disclosed that three cities and 24 towns in the region have confirmed NPA activities as of February 2018. There are 404 active NPA members in the region equipped with 576 firearms, according to the military. (SQM/PNA)